Urban News

After a marathon discussion in the Assembly on Mumbai’s infrastructure problems, Chief Minister Ashok Chavan replied, “We need to reconsider the current FSI policy. Keeping in mind the space crunch and available infrastructure, the expert committee will give suggestions on how much vertical growth can be allowed,” he said.

The panel will comprise the municipal commissioner, urban development secretary and experts from industry. New buildings will have to follow eco-friendly policies, he said.

MLAs slammed the government on its failure to curb slum growth, and Chavan admitted, “Despite various existing laws there have been loopholes at various levels... We will conduct a land audit and, with the help of GPS, we will map slums,” he said. He added the state wanted to follow the Prime Minister’s vision on eradicating slums, and was willing to give protection for hutments that have come up till a cutoff of 2000.

A panel under the Chief Secretary will conduct the land audit and submit a report. Chavan said that those helping encroachment will face strict action under the Slum Act.

To help the BMC demolish slums, 1,099 new police posts will be approved. Chavan said slums on Central land, including railway and defence land, have been told to follow the state’s SRA policy and carry out development. CMspeak
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* BEST told to consider power generation and move beyond distribution
* MHADA to do pilot project for SRA. It had earlier proposed that private developers do so.
* MMRDA not interfering with BMC, only helping reduce burden
* Hospitals to be developed in North Mumbai.